Executive Summary

This penetration test was conducted for Acme Corporation to evaluate the security posture of their network and web applications. The assessment identified critical vulnerabilities that could lead to unauthorized access and data breaches.

Key Findings:

• Critical SQL Injection vulnerability in the customer portal.
• Outdated software on web servers with known exploits.
• Weak password policies leading to compromised accounts.

Recommendations:

Immediate remediation is advised for the critical vulnerabilities. Strengthening security policies and regular updates are essential to protect against future threats.

Introduction

Purpose of the Test

The purpose of this penetration test is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in Acme Corporation’s IT infrastructure, simulating an attacker’s approach to compromise systems and data.

Objectives

• Identify security weaknesses in network and web applications.
• Assess the effectiveness of current security measures.
• Provide actionable recommendations to enhance security.

Testing Period: October 1, 2023 – October 15, 2023

Testing Team: SecureTech Solutions Security Assessment Team

Scope

In-Scope Targets:

• Web Applications:
  • https://www.acmecorp.com
  • https://portal.acmecorp.com
• Network Range:
  • 10.0.0.0/24 (Corporate LAN)
• Servers:
  • Database servers
  • Application servers

Out-of-Scope Targets:

• Employee personal devices
• Third-party services

Testing Constraints:

• No social engineering tactics
• Testing to be conducted during off-peak hours
• Adherence to the Rules of Engagement document

Methodology

The penetration test followed a structured approach based on industry best practices, including the OWASP Testing Guide and NIST SP 800-115.

Phases:

1. Planning and Reconnaissance
   • Gathered information about the target environment.
   • Identified potential entry points.
2. Scanning
   • Used tools like Nmap and Nessus to discover open ports and services.
   • Identified vulnerabilities through automated scans.
3. Enumeration
   • Detailed examination of identified services and applications.
   • Collected user accounts and network shares.
4. Exploitation
   • Attempted to exploit vulnerabilities to gain access.
   • Focused on high-impact vulnerabilities.
5. Post-Exploitation
   • Assessed the extent of compromise.
   • Evaluated the potential for data exfiltration.
6. Reporting
   • Documented all findings with evidence.
   • Provided recommendations for remediation.

Findings

Finding 1: SQL Injection in Customer Portal

Severity: Critical

Description:

An SQL Injection vulnerability exists in the login functionality of portal.acmecorp.com. An attacker can manipulate the SQL query to bypass authentication and access sensitive customer data.

Evidence:

• Payload used: ' OR '1'='1' --
• Gained access to multiple customer accounts without valid credentials.
• Extracted data from the users table, including usernames and hashed passwords.

Impact:

• Unauthorized access to customer accounts.
• Potential for full database compromise.
• Violation of data protection regulations.

Recommendation:

• Implement prepared statements or parameterized queries.
• Validate and sanitize all user inputs.
• Conduct regular code reviews and security testing.

References:

• OWASP SQL Injection Prevention Cheat Sheet

Screenshot:

Finding 2: Outdated OpenSSL Version on Server

Severity: High

Description:

The web server at www.acmecorp.com is running OpenSSL version 1.0.1, which is susceptible to the Heartbleed vulnerability (CVE-2014-0160).

Evidence:

• Detected OpenSSL 1.0.1 via service fingerprinting.
• Successfully exploited using Heartbleed exploit tools.
• Extracted fragments of server memory, including session cookies and private keys.

Impact:

• Exposure of sensitive data in server memory.
• Potential decryption of SSL/TLS traffic.
• Compromise of secure communications.

Recommendation:

• Upgrade OpenSSL to the latest stable version.
• Replace SSL/TLS certificates after updating.
• Perform a security audit of systems for any signs of compromise.

References:

• Heartbleed Bug Information

Screenshot:

Finding 3: Weak Password Policy

Severity: Medium

Description:

The current password policy allows for weak passwords, increasing the risk of account compromise through brute-force attacks.

Evidence:

• Password complexity requirements are minimal (e.g., passwords like “password1” are accepted).
• No account lockout mechanisms after failed login attempts.
• Successfully cracked 70% of user passwords using a common wordlist.

Impact:

• Unauthorized access to user accounts.
• Potential for privilege escalation if administrative accounts are compromised.
• Increased risk of data breaches.

Recommendation:

• Enforce strong password policies requiring a mix of characters.
• Implement account lockout after a defined number of failed attempts.
• Educate users on creating secure passwords.
• Consider implementing multi-factor authentication.

References:

• NIST SP 800-63B: Digital Identity Guidelines

Recommendations

Based on the identified findings, the following actions are recommended:

1. Immediate Actions:

   • Fix the SQL Injection vulnerability in the customer portal.
     • Use parameterized queries.
     • Sanitize all inputs.
   • Update OpenSSL to the latest version.
     • Replace SSL certificates after the update.
   • Strengthen password policies.
     • Enforce complexity requirements.
     • Implement account lockout policies.

2. Security Enhancements:

   • Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAF) to protect against common web attacks.
   • Regularly update and patch all software and systems.
   • Conduct periodic security training for staff.

3. Monitoring and Maintenance:

   • Establish continuous monitoring of systems and networks.
   • Perform regular security assessments and penetration tests.
   • Review and update security policies and procedures.

4. Compliance and Governance:

   • Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations (e.g., GDPR, PCI DSS).
   • Maintain thorough documentation of all security measures and incidents.

Implementing these recommendations will significantly reduce the risk of security breaches and enhance the overall security posture of Acme Corporation.

Conclusion

The penetration test uncovered critical vulnerabilities that could lead to severe security incidents if left unaddressed. Immediate remediation of the identified issues is crucial.

By following the recommendations provided, Acme Corporation can mitigate these risks and strengthen its defenses against future attacks. Ongoing security efforts, including regular assessments and employee training, are essential for maintaining a robust security posture.

Prepared by:

Vitaly Berdyakov Penetration Tester SecureTech Solutions

Date: October 16, 2023